The highly anticipated 2025 NFL Draft is only two months away. And now that most of the games have wrapped up, the world gets a clearer picture of who the potential top prospects would be. Elite QBs like Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward continue to dominate the forecasts. But the playoff QBs were faced with a different case, especially those involved in the 2025 Rose Bowl. 

The Ohio State vs Oregon clash in the Rose Bowl changed the fates of the respective QBs. The Ducks QB Dillon Gabriel entered the game undefeated with 3,558 yards and 28 touchdowns. Better than the Buckeyes QB Will Howard who was under pressure for their fourth straight loss to Michigan in The Game. But the outcome of the Rose Bowl favored him over Gabriel. Following a wild 41-21 win over No. 1 Oregon, Will Howard’s NFL draft stocks saw a sharp rise. According to NFL scout Colton Edwards’ prediction on X on January 4, the Buckeyes QB is the top three on the 2025 NFL QB prospect rankings.

Shedeur Sanders tops the list followed by Cam Ward at No. 2. This new ranking has put Will Howard ahead of top SEC team QBs like Alabama’s Jalen Milroe who failed to lead the Crimson Tide to the playoffs. Howard also surpassed Georgia’s Carson Beck who dropped to No. 5 after their ugly 23-10 loss to Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl. What’s more surprising is that the Ducks QB wasn’t included in this top 10 list. 

What’s the point of being undefeated to get knocked out in their first big playoff game? Dillon Gabriel was considered one of the top QB prospects before the Rose Bowl heartbreak. But he fell short of expectations as his 299 yards and two touchdowns weren’t able to carry on their fairytale run. Things have gone the opposite for Will Howard who might be able to save Ryan Day’s job with a natty win. 

Ohio State benefits from last Oregon lesson 

The Rose Bowl was a game of redemption for Ohio State thanks to the brilliance of Will Howard and offensive MVP Jeremiah Smith. The OSU play caller completed 17 of 26 passes for 310 yards and three touchdowns. After the game, he told the media that they “played angry.” We can’t expect less from a rematch when you’re part of the losing team. 

Jeremiah Smith never forgot about how Oregon beat them 32-31 earlier in the season. The freshman WR said, “After that game, we had a bad taste in our mouth… Offensively, we had to get the [football] to the perimeter, take shots, and just win our one-on-one matchups. That’s what we did.” Indeed, he made seven receptions for 187 yards and two touchdowns in this crucial win. 

Ryan Day and Ohio State will advance to the Cotton Bowl on January 10 to meet Texas in the CFP semifinal round. The Longhorns just had a narrow 39-31 OT win over Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. The other game will be played between Notre Dame and Penn State, the winners of which will move on to the ultimate national championship game. Can Will Howard change his HC’s fate with two more victories?